Sort of debated between marking it a "9" or a "10" because a "10" really should be perfect, and I can see two tiny marks on it... but in the end, I decided that those marks are small enough, and hard enough to find even when looking for them, to represent an "OCD Detector" more than any actual flaw. Hopefully there's a potential buyer who agrees.

If that Thursday ETA pans out, this might be even sweeter than I had hoped. I'm leaving for Guatemala on Friday, for two weeks, and had resigned myself to seeing the D810 upon my return. But a Thursday arrival might allow for a priority overnight package to reach me just before I head for the airport... yum. Whom should I call at CC to give them my card number and shipping instructions?

Thanks again for calling them while I was in Ireland. I'm grateful for the favor.

Glenn Watson wrote:
I'm waiting to snatch up one of the outpouring of D800e's shirley to flood the b&s in the next couple weeks. Dont see a compelling reason to buy a D810 on the first day.

Has anybody shot both d800 and d800e at the same time and noticed a discernable sharpness difference in the e model?

I have two D800 and one "E" model. Have shot them side-by-side extensively, can't see any difference. On the other hand, action and aviation do not allow for the kind of precision shooting that would reveal any small differences, and I've seen enough credible reviews that do find a difference to discount it out of hand. My conclusion is that there is a difference, but the subjects we shoot and the ways we shoot them have too low a level of pixel-level precision for it to matter. The "E" is overkill for aviation and action, IMHO... but I'm OCD enough to care about even a potential marginal improvement so I got one.

All three of my cameras will be sold within the next 3-4 months to make space for two D810 bodies; along with both of Jim's, and Zim's, and God knows how many others. You can have your pick of great choices and doubtless also great prices.

I've got a D810 on order, too, and since I have only one Nikon FX body, I think I'll keep the D800 as my backup and instead start divesting my Canon gear. Never thought I'd say that, but I've got a surplus of camera systems: Canon EF, Nikon FX and DX, Panasonic and Olympus micro four thirds. it's driving me crazy trying to keep all the controls and menu systems straight. I know, I know: first world problems...

JWilsonphoto wrote:
...oh, can we say "illegal", or are they "undocumented" UAV operators?

. I've always been an advocate of calling things what they are, whether it's in aviation, immigration, or anything else. Anything that does not fulfill the requirements of the law is illegal, regardless of any and all possible mitigating circumstances. Unfortunately, using terminology that is perceived to be more favorable to their cause is standard practice for essentially all special interest groups, so this isn't going to go away.

Some of those mealy-mouthed bits of marketing-speak are more damaging to the public interest than others, though. Kellogg's uses what Monsanto calls "enhanced corn" in children's cereals, for example. What Monsanto doesn't tell you is that "enhanced corn" has been genetically modified in two ways. First, to resist pesticides so the corn you eat can be repeatedly doused in some of the nastiest chemicals out there -- including a component of Agent Orange! And second, the corn itself secretes its own pesticide, a toxin that ruptures the internal organs of the worms and small animals that might eat it. Don't you just love the idea of feeding your children and grandchildren a cereal whose corn is registered with the FDA as a toxic substance?

They say, of course, that this toxin does not accumulate in the bodies of humans and is not a health risk. But that's what they said about DDT too, and there are NO human studies on the subject. Isn't that nice...

This whole drone thing is going to get very messy, very soon, IMHO. The FAA's undermanned as it is, and the proliferation of drones represents a huge time sink for a large number of regulators and enforcement folks.

I was remiss in not mentioning that Rich made time and space out of a busy shooting schedule to join us for Spanish tapas one night during our London stay. Great conversation, so much that I forgot the obligatory mug shot of us despite having the camera at my side. The kids behaved, the croquettes were awesome, and London is always a favorite of mine... what's not to love?

It won't be three years 'til next time, Rich. I have another trip to London in February already set up, and Daniela will join me. Three days of class/work at the IOD ("Developing Board Performance") and then 4-5 days of romantic getaway. We'll make sure to touch base!

My apologies in absentia to the inimitable Kevin Jackson, who was kind enough to buy and ship me the SIM cards that made my trip so much easier. I forgot to let Kev know when I arrived in London, and when I called him three days later he was already on the move. My bad, but I'll make it up next time....Show more →